Guide to Liverworts of Oregon: Scapania subalpina (Nees) Dum.
HOME SPECIES INDEX GENUS INDEX GLOSSARY
Scapania 1 oil bodies several per cell > Scapania 2b marginal teeth evenly spaced or lacking > Scapania 3b dorsal lobe not decurrent > Scapania 5 ventral lobe long decurrent > Scapania 6a lobes nearly same size > Scapania subalpina
Synonym: None.
Special Status: None.
Recognition: The subequal lobes coupled with decurrent ventral lobes distinguishes this species. The decurrency is more easily detected if a specimen is lightly stained with methylene blue or similar cationic stain. Usually has marginal teeth but these are sometimes sparse. Gemmae frequent. Oil bodies (4)7-11(15) per cell, average of two counts 8.2 and 9.75. The numerous oil bodies, up to 15 per cell, is the highest count in the genus. Scapania irrigua grows in similar habitats and bears a strong resemblance. Its ventral lobe is nondecurrent and it has fewer oil bodies per cell than S. subalpina.
Distribution: On moist, peaty substrates, often close to water; in subalpine and higher montane regions.
Comments: Believed to be relatively frequently encountered in Oregon Cascades. This assessment is worth reviewing by re-examining vouchers of historical records.
Shoot, dorsal aspect, lightly stained. Washington, upper Lewis River watershed, Skamania County. D. Stone 28 August 2013.
Shoot, ventral aspect; decurrent ventral lobe base enhanced with stain. Washington, upper Lewis River watershed, Skamania County. D. Stone 28 August 2013.
Shoot aspect; decurrent ventral lobe base enhanced with stain.Washington, upper Lewis River watershed, Skamania County. D. Stone 28 August 2013.
Flattened leaf; ventral lobe on left. Washington, upper Lewis River watershed, Skamania County. D. Stone 28 August 2013.
Flattened leaf; ventral lobe on left. Washington, upper Lewis River watershed, Skamania County. D. Stone 28 August 2013.
Oil bodies average 9.75 per cell, 56 cell count. Washington, upper Lewis River watershed, Skamania County. D. Stone 28 August 2013.
Oil bodies average 8.2 per cell, 60 cell count. Washington, upper Lewis River watershed, Skamania County. D. Stone 28 August 2013.